Jaguar F-Type Project 7

Jaguar F-Type Project 7, the latest model in Jaguar’s acclaimed F-Type sports car range, made its debut at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. F-Type Project 7 is the first Jaguar performance vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations team, and will be produced in an exclusive, limited-edition run of up to 250 units. Its distinctive roadster body, introduced in concept form in the summer of 2013, pays tribute to one of the most famous and iconic racing Jaguars: the three-time Le Mans winning D-type, which in 2014 is celebrating its 60th anniversary year. F-Type Project 7’s name pays homage to Jaguar’s seven outright Le Mans wins.

The Jaguar F-Type Project 7 is not only the most focused derivative of the award-winning F-Type range, but is also the fastest and most powerful production Jaguar ever built. Jaguar F-Type Project 7’s power comes from Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, now in 575PS/680Nm form, enabling the all-aluminium-bodied car – which weighs 1585kg – to achieve acceleration from 0-60mph in 3.8-seconds (0-100km/h in 3.9-seconds) and an electronically-limited top speed of 186mph (300km/h). F-Type Project 7 is fully road-legal, with a removable roof and 196-litre stowage space.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through Jaguar’s eight-speed Quickshift transmission and second generation Electronic Active Differential (EAD). Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes, available as an option on the F-Type R Coupé, are fitted as standard on F-Type Project 7, offering powerful, consistent, fade-free braking. Another standard feature is Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) which, working in conjunction with the EAD, enables extremely precise handling. Bespoke carbon-fibre aerodynamic aids and a unique suspension set-up enable F-Type Project 7 to deliver a truly engaging driving experience.

While F-Type Project 7 features performance-focused engineering by Special Vehicle Operations – the engineering and vehicle division of Special Operations – its design has been kept true to the head-turning lines of the original Project 7 concept, which was unveiled last summer. Key design elements include the D-type-inspired fairing behind the driver’s head, shorter windshield, new front bumper, and downforce-increasing aerodynamic modifications – including a carbon-fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and adjustable rear spoiler. However, the single-seater concept has been transformed into a two-seater, with rollover hoops for both driver and passenger now integrated into the design.

The Jaguar F-Type Project 7 is a product of pure passion, and the pinnacle of Jaguar’s performance sports car range. The most focused derivative of the highly acclaimed F-Type range, it is the fastest and most powerful production Jaguar ever made. The Special Vehicle Operations-engineered F-Type Project 7 is powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, as seen in the F-Type R Coupé, but in an even further enhanced form: it produces 575PS (an increase of 25PS over the F-Type R Coupé) and 680Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through Jaguar’s eight-speed Quickshift transmission and second-generation Electronic Active Differential. Special Vehicle Operations engineers have developed a bespoke transmission calibration for the F-Type Project 7, with revised shift points and characteristics.

This enables the lightweight, all-aluminium bodied roadster – which, at 1585kg, weighs 80kg less than the F-Type V8 S Convertible – to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds), with an electronically-limited top speed of 186mph. The increased performance, combined with the handling and aerodynamic enhancements, make F-Type Project 7 the new benchmark in high-performance Jaguars.

Jaguar F-Type Project 7 features a switchable Active Sports Exhaust system with quad, matt-black ceramic coated, outboard-mounted tailpipes. The system uses electronically-controlled bypass valves in the rear section of the exhaust which are mapped to open according to a range of parameters, effectively altering the exhaust gas routing into a free-flowing straight-through arrangement to both reduce back pressure and enhance sound quality.

F-Type Project 7 rides on 20-inch Storm alloy wheels in gloss black, which customers can opt to have fitted with high-performance Continental ForceContact tyres. Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes – with 398mm front and 380mm rear discs allied to six- and four-piston monobloc calipers respectively – are fitted as standard. Made from a matrix of carbon-fibre and ceramic, which is extremely hard and highly resistant to wear, the CCM system offers consistent performance and excellent fade resistance even during sustained extreme driving conditions. Jaguar’s CCM brakes feature a pre-fill system function that applies a low brake pressure to all four calipers when the throttle is released – and before the brake pedal is pressed again – to ensure consistent brake pedal feel.

Jaguar F-Type Project 7 benefits from bespoke, Special Vehicle Operations-engineered front suspension knuckles which give increased negative camber, revised top mounts and new front/rear anti-roll bars. The front and rear spring and damper units are height adjustable, and both spring rates and damper internals have been tailored specifically to F-Type Project 7.

Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics system actively controls vertical body movement, roll and pitch rates by continuously monitoring driver inputs and the attitude of the car on the road, adjusting damper rates accordingly up to 500 times a second to optimise stability. The Adaptive Dynamics controlling software has been precisely re-calibrated to suit F-Type Project 7, the Dynamic Stability Control system also having a unique state of tune. Engaging Dynamic Mode delivers enhanced body control through firmer damping rates, increased steering weighting, faster gear changes and sharper throttle response. Dynamic Mode is configurable as standard via the central 8-inch touchscreen, allowing the driver to select and save settings according to their preference.

Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB), which intelligently and rapidly applies precise amounts of braking force to individual wheels to accurately sharpen the car’s line through a corner, is standard. TVbB works in conjunction with the Electronic Active Differential (which can go from open to full locking torque in 200 milliseconds) and the car’s Dynamic Stability Control system to optimise traction, cornering ability and, most importantly, to maximise steering feel and agility. “Above all – F-Type Project 7 is fast… It uses all the key technologies we’ve proven on F-Type R Coupe to deliver absolute immediacy of response to all driver inputs, yet its focused nature has given us the opportunity to go further still. The result is a driving experience that’s pure and involving in every sense.” Mike Cross, Chief Engineer – Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar.

Enhancing its unique appeal, the F-Type Project 7 will be hand-built to exacting standards by Special Operations, and offered in an exclusive, limited-edition production run of up to 250 units globally. Each car will sport a specially numbered plaque, located between the two seats, signed by Ian Callum. F-Type Project 7, whose name acknowledges Jaguar’s seven historic Le Mans race wins, will be offered in five metallic colours: Ultra Blue, Italian Racing Red, British Racing Green (all with white decal options), Ultimate Black and a new colour, Glacier White (both with grey decal options).